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i dun think there is much slow down even with the lower exchange rate as much currency has a high multipler vs Baht so the difference is not really significant. It is not one of the most value for money destination in Asia but the MOST value for money destination in Asia. and probably around the world.

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Growth in Chinese tourist arrivals fell to 13.2 per cent in the second quarter, dragging down overall arrivals growth. The sector will become increasingly dependent on rising spending per visitor.

According to a couple of conversations I had last month with Thai locals, Chinese tourism is not all that it seems, and it was argued that Thailand make very little from these visitors. When Chinese nationals visit, mostly it is in group tours. These tours are owned and operated by Chinese businesses. When they go on island, fishing or other ocean tours, the boats are CHinese owned. Ditto for the busses they use to get around, the hotels they stay in, and the restaurants they eat in.

It was stated that Thai people see almost nothing of the Chinese tourist dollar, and it all goes back to China. The same was said to varying degrees about Russian and Korean tourism. What's worse, the tour operators fill these people with fear that to even talk to a Thai local is dangerous and they will be ripped of. Meanwhile, the operators rip their customers off blindly.

The nett NEGATIVE of all of this is that with these three countries experiencing a financial boom over the past decade, creating a larger middle class that can travel abroad, when they go to Thailand, it further makes the place busy for others, and for many Falang, it's become too touristy. Thailand is OVER according to some pundits in the travel journalism game.

So when the paying tourists who support Thailand are no longer coming, and replaced by Chinese, Korean & Russian guided tours, this might spell bad news for the tourism industry.

Somebody with more of an understanding might want to say how this will affect the exchange rate of the baht over the coming years.